SHRC Seeks SMC’s Response As Water Logging Chokes Srinagar

Srinagar: The State Human Rights Commission on Thursday sought details regarding measures taken by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to prevent water logging in Srinagar city.
Like July 25, most of the roads in Srinagar were clogged by rain water, causing tremendous problems to commuters and school going children who had to wade through ankle height water level to cross the roads to reach their destinations.
Member SHRC Jung Bahadur Singh Jamwal issued the notice Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and asked him to submit reply immediately. The petition, filed by chairman international forum for justice Human Rights JK Muhammad Ahsaan Untoo, has been ordered to be listed for further consideration on Monday, the petitioner said.
In his plea, he says that during early hours of July 25 due to the rain, all the drainage system in the Srinagar City got chocked and all the major routes more particularly Hari Singh high street, main Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk, Paladium Gali, Polo view, M.A. Road, Kursoo Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, L.D. Hospital, Rainawari, Old Barzulla etc got submerged in rain water.
The areas house important offices like civil secretariat, High court, divisional commissioner’s office, he said. “Due to water logging, havoc was created in the Srinagar city and it seemed that the Srinagar city was in flood,” he said, alleging that authorities failed to carry de-watering despite the fact that weatherman has forecast rains. He said that water logging created problems for the commuters, school going children. He said that authorities are duty bound to provide all the facilities to the citizens including proper drainage system.
The petitioner besides seeking policy for prevention of the water logging has also sought direction to the SMC to inform the Commission about the interim measures taken by the SMC regarding dewatering of the water clogged roads.